ARTICLE 4 #FarmersRights

Farmers in Karnataka have intensified their demand for the state government and sugar mills to fix the price of sugarcane before the commencement of the crushing season. With the harvesting and crushing period approaching, farmers are urging authorities to announce a fair and remunerative cane price to avoid last-minute disputes and financial losses.

Sugar mills across several regions are reportedly scaling down the number of procurement centers due to ongoing delays in payments to sugarcane farmers. According to industry sources, mills struggling with liquidity issues have found it increasingly difficult to clear dues to growers on time.

Tension gripped parts of western Maharashtra, particularly the Kolhapur and Sangli districts, as sugarcane farmers staged protests demanding higher payments for their produce ahead of the 2025-26 crushing season.

Tensions flared across the sugar-producing regions of North Karnataka as thousands of sugarcane farmers took to the streets on Wednesday, demanding a fair and higher procurement price for their produce.

Farmers across several regions have expressed deep concern over the sharp decline in soybean and maize prices, which have fallen below the expected market rate this season. Due to the low returns, many cultivators are struggling to cover their input costs, including seeds, fertilizers, and transportation.

Amid rising unrest among sugarcane farmers in Karnataka, the state government has stepped in to open dialogue. A senior Karnataka minister has invited farmer representatives for talks with the Chief Minister, aiming to address their grievances and prevent further escalation.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has sought an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the ongoing sugarcane farmers’ protest and address their concerns over fair and remunerative pricing (FRP) for their produce.

According to local traders, the current buying prices for maize have dropped significantly, leaving farmers frustrated and unwilling to sell their produce at such low margins.

Farmers in North Karnataka, particularly in the Dharwad region under Raitha Sene Karnataka, have launched an indefinite protest in Navalgund taluk.